N00341:161
The greatest sinners exhorted and encouraged to come to Christ, and that now without…
The greatest sinners exhorted and encouraged to come to Christ, and that now without delaying. Also, the exceeding danger of men's deferring their repentance. : Together with a discourse about the day of judgement. And on several other subjects. / By Increase Mather teacher of a church at Boston in N. England. ; [Six lines of Scripture texts]
printed by R.P. for Joseph Brunning i.e, 1686
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Fruitful Christians glorify God.Fruitful Christians glorifie God.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5. Good Works are fruit. Col. 1.10. Being fruitful in every good work. Works of Piety if done from a right principle, and for a right end are fruit Praying, Hearing the Word preached, Setting days apart for Prayer or Praise, are holy fruit. And when men do by their Estates encourage the work of the Gospel, or promote public and pious designs, they are truly said to bear fruit. Hence the Apostle saith to the Philippians that he desired fruit which might abound to their account, Cap. 4 17. Works of Charity are fruit, Almsdeeds ar• so. Especially when men do with their Estates relieve and refresh the needy Servants of God, that's fruit and very pleasant fruit before the Lord. Heb. 13.16. But to do good, & to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. When the Churches among the Gentiles relieved the poor ⟨p. 101⟩Saints at Jerusalem, the Lord was delighted with that fruit. Some who look upon the Song of Solomon as a prophesy, suppose works of Charity to be intended by those Expressions, Cant. 4.10. How fair is thy love, my sister my spouse▪ How much better is thy love than wine, and the smell of thine ointment than all spices! However, it was pleasant fruit. When Christians carry it one towards another as the rule of Charity requireth, they are said to bring forth fruit, And this is in a special manner intended in […] Text: When Christ saith to his Disciples, bring forth much fruit, His meaning is, Love one another much.
5. Good Works are fruit. Col. 1.10. Being fruitful in every good work. Works of Piety if done from a right principle, and for a right end are fruit Praying, Hearing the Word preached, Setting dayes apart for Prayer or Praise, are holy fruit. And when men do by their Estates encourage the work of the Gospel, or promote public and pious designs, they are truly said to bear fruit. Hence the Apostle saith to the Philipians that he desired fruit which might abound to their account, Cap. 4 17. Works of Charity are fruit, Almseeds ar so. Especially when men do with their Estates relieve and refresh the needy Servants of God, thats fruit and very pleasant fruit before the Lord.